Stark Took an EV Dirt Bike Higher Than Any Motorcycle Before

Swiss mountaineer, Jiri Zak, took an EV Stark Varg to the Andes and made a New Guinness World Altitude record that saw him and the motorcycle hit 22,000 feet.

Photo by: Stark Future

By: Jonathon Klein

Dec 25, 2025 at 8:54am ET

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I'm of the firm belief that you can basically do whatever you can think of on a Stark Varg, the most powerful EV dirt bike on the planet. And not just because it has more horsepower and torque than most diesel trucks.

No, the Varg is one of those motorcycles that inspires you to find a new path, chart your own way, get really good at the fundamentals, and change your scenery for the better. I've had one for about six months now, and can honestly say that it's not only made me a better rider, but it's taken me on some truly awesome trips into the unknown.

But the all-electric Varg also has some properties that a gas motorcycle doesn't that makes it perfect for pushing the envelope further. Not only can you not kill the engine due to screwing your clutchwork up, but because there's no intake, you can wade through seat-height water, and because it doesn't need to breathe like a gas engine would, you can take it really high up. Like, really, really high up.

As was the case when Stark partnered with mountaineer Jiri Zak to take a Varg up the Andes and set a new Guinness Record for vehicular altitude that's some 22,000 feet high. I'm getting vertigo just thinking about it.

Stark Varg Altitude 1

Photo by: Stark Future

If you aren't aware, when you get higher in altitude, a gasoline engine works harder as, just like you, it can't breathe. The thinner air starves the engine of horsepower, making it basically become another weight on your back. Electric vehicles aren't affected by altitude, though, as there's no air needed to make power. Enter the Stark Varg and the new record.

According to the company, "Stark and Swiss mountaineer-rider Jiri Zak have achieved a 6,721-meter high-altitude record attempt on Los Ojos del Salado (6,893 m), riding the fully electric Stark VARG EX. To ensure data integrity, the team’s GPS devices were calibrated and certified on Thursday, November 27th. Zak made his attempt on Sunday, November 30, and completed the objective flawlessly. Final altitude figures are being compiled from the certified GPS units, witness statements and accompanying logs will be released after independent verification."

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In recent years, altitude records have become their own thing, much like Germany's famous Nurburgring with lap times, as both Porsche and Yamaha have don't altitude attempts, as well as Top Gear back in the day with the original trio. Unlike Jeremy, Richard, and James, however, Zak didn't chew on coca leaves to not get altitude sickness.

"Two years ago this was just a dream, do it on an electric bike, where combustion loses its breath," said Zack, "Ojos is unforgiving; one mistake can cost your life. That’s why I’m here with a team I trust and a motorcycle that keeps delivering power in thin air.."